S.Korea Buddhists slam China boycott of event

[icy]

Is this tic for tac?  Dorje Shugden Practioners are boycotted by the Tibetans and the Tibetans are boycotted in world Buddhist events by the Chinese.  The cycle will be vicious and will not benefit anyone.  Definitely will be better for CTA to lift DS ban to become friends of China and be able to participate in all Buddhist events without the Chinese boycotting any.  Dorje Shugden is a World Peace Protector certainly it is so apt China and Tibet can reconcile on this ground on the basis of cultural heritage.  CTA has to recognise this strength of Dorje Shugden as the World Peace Protector to gain in-road in their cause of Tibet. 


Friday, June 15 2012 @ 05:47 pm BST
South Korea’s leading Buddhist organisation Thursday criticised China’s boycott of a religious event in protest at a Tibetan presence, and demanded an apology from Beijing.
The 17 Chinese monks and officials invited to this week’s World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) conference in South Korea abruptly flew home Wednesday after lodging a complaint about the presence of a Tibetan delegation.
The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism called their departure “extremely regrettable” and accused them of “lacking the least respect and consideration” for what was supposed to be a purely religious event.
“The Chinese delegates only prioritised their own political agenda by refusing to accept the presence of a Tibetan delegation officially registered as a member of the WFB,” it said in an unusually strongly worded statement.
“The WFB conference should be a purely religious exchange that rules out political interests… we demand that the Chinese delegation offer a sincere apology and promise it will never happen again,” it said.
The Jogye Order also said it actively sympathised with the free religious activities of Tibetan Buddhists and would “seriously reconsider” ties with Chinese Buddhists.
About 400 delegates from some 30 countries are taking part in the two-yearly gathering in the southern city of Yeosu.
The event drew attention after Seoul’s government, in a rare move, approved a visa for Samdhong Rinpoche, an ex-prime minister of Tibet’s government-in-exile.
South Korea has refused in the past to grant a visa for Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, apparently for fear of offending China.
Beijing considers the Dalai Lama a “splittist”, despite his calls for autonomy rather than independence for Tibet, and has stepped up pressure on world leaders not to meet him.
tibet.net

[Vajraprotector]

I know that China did this for political reasons and just to make a stand, but it's quite ridiculous if you see it from the point of view of Buddhism.

Tibetan Buddhism is practised in certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan,India,  Mongolia, parts of Russia (Kalmykia, Buryatia, and Tuva) and Northeast China. Due to the Tibetan diaspora, it has also spread to many Western countries, where the tradition has gained popularity.  The number of its adherents is estimated to be between 10 and 20 million. So if you are denying the delegates that represents this, then you are denying the voice of 10 - 20 million people.

Perhaps, due to sensitivity issue, other proponents of Tibetan Buddhism, eg. scholars or Lamas from the West should be invited instead to these conferences? Sad that there's so much politics. If a conference were to invite other Lamas, perhaps it will be disrespectful? His Holiness has spoken about the Karmapa in the past as his possible successor, so why not start promoting him now, like how China promotes their Panchen Lama?

[dsiluvu]

Is this tic for tac?  Dorje Shugden Practioners are boycotted by the Tibetans and the Tibetans are boycotted in world Buddhist events by the Chinese.  The cycle will be vicious and will not benefit anyone.  Definitely will be better for CTA to lift DS ban to become friends of China and be able to participate in all Buddhist events without the Chinese boycotting any. Dorje Shugden is a World Peace Protector certainly it is so apt China and Tibet can reconcile on this ground on the basis of cultural heritage.  CTA has to recognise this strength of Dorje Shugden as the World Peace Protector to gain in-road in their cause of Tibet. 

Haha like the you boycott me, i boycott you theory.... but oh boy the boycott that China does is huge and it will affect the Tibetans so much because theirs are world events. No confined to only Tibetans. If CTA were smart... yes they will create good relations with China. Simply because... look if they can participate in the World Buddhist events imagine how much more they can gain support and resources to help their people in China. But I doubt that would happened.

But yes ICY i agree with you that the only hope and chance is actually DORJE SHUGDEN. If the BAN is lifted and Shugdenpas are allowed to do their own practice without any disturbances from the CTA/Tibetans... they are the ones who will most likely be able to harness a "good relationship" with China because there is base and there is the heritage part, hence DS seems closer. And in time slowly slowly with DS blessing & Dharma... China's notion may perhaps change and who knows, they will then probably be more open to listen to voices of Tibetans. And here I mentioned Tibetans...not CTA.  But yes if only CTA were smart...

[Dhiman]

Funny to know that the Chinese officials and representatives actually boycott such a huge event after making their way there. They sound like a bunch of kids throwing tantrum for not getting things their way.

I'm quite sure the event is made known to all delegates that it is a gathering of international Buddhist associations from various lineage. Are the Chinese so dumb that they are not expecting to see the presence of Tibetan delegates who represents the lineage of Vajrayana? If China do not acknowledge Tibetan Buddhism then they are clearly telling the world that all their actions are spiritually meaningless and only revolves around bringing down the Dalai Lama (nurturing the Panchen Lama, Kalachakra initiations etc.).

The other reason for them to be unhappy might be the appearance of ex-Kalon Tripa, Samdong Rinpoche. If this is so then it makes the situation more absurd. Rinpoche has already made a clear confession that serving the Dalai Lama was just to fulfill his guru's instructions and his strong devotion lies with H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche, his root guru. Having met such a close ex-associate to the Dalai Lama, shouldn't China be sticking up to him instead?

[Vajraprotector]

China is so gonna not like this below. Kalon Tripa Lobsang Sangay met with a group of around 30 Australian parliamentarians from both Houses and from all political parties today. I wonder what will China do? 

Australia and China share a strong and rapidly growing trade and economic relationship and both countries see the priority in strengthening and deepening this relationship and hence started the negotiation of a Free Trade Agreement. The latest (the 18th round) negotiations on the Australia-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was held in Canberra on 19-21 March 2012.


This was the news on CTA's website:
http://tibet.net/2012/06/28/kalon-tripa-meets-speaker-former-speaker-and-a-large-group-of-australian-parliamentarians/


Kalon Tripa meets Speaker, former Speaker and a large group of Australian parliamentarians

The Australian parliament sent a strong message of support for Tibet today by turning up to meet Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay in large numbers.

After a warm welcome by Mr Michael Danby MP, Chair of the Australian All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet, Kalon Tripa met with a group of around 30 parliamentarians from both Houses and from all political parties. Key among them were Mr Michael Danby, who also chairs the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, Speaker of the House Mr Peter Slipper MP, former Speaker of the House Mr Harry Jenkins, Opposition whip and senior Liberal Party member Mr Warren Entsch, Greens spokesperson on Tibet Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Mr Ken Wyatt MP, the first Aboriginal MP and the co-chair of the Parliament Tibet Group.

In an hour-long meeting, Kalon Tripa had an in-depth discussion on the state of Tibet-China relations, Tibetan democracy, the Middle Way policy and China’s leadership change. The response from the parliamentarians was phenomenal. They expressed their strong support for the Tibetan people and showed a keen interest in gaining a deeper understanding of the Tibet issue by engaging in a robust discussion with Kalon Tripa.

Straight after the meeting, Kalon Tripa addressed members of the Federal Press Gallery. He was joined by Mr Michael Danby MP and Mr Ken Wyatt MP.

In a speech in the House of Representatives, Mr Michael Danby said, “As democrats we should tell the truth, even if it is often not what some of our trading partners would like to hear. The truth is the Tibetan people have suffered enough under 60 years of Chinese oppression. Self-immolation is an act of desperation. It shows the Tibetan people are at the end of their rope. In my view, it is an act that has hardened their resolve for their ultimate autonomy and cultural freedom.”

Later during the day, Kalon Tripa took part in a roundtable discussion with Australia’s top China scholars at Australian National University, a leading university on China studies and international relations.

Kalon Tripa met with the local Tibetan community in the evening.

He will end the Canberra leg of Australia tomorrow with a meeting with Greens leader Christine Milne. In total, Kalon Tripa will have met with around 45 Australian parliamentarians over the course of three days in Canberra.

[michaela]

Icy June 18, 2012

“The 17 Chinese monks and officials invited to this week’s World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) conference in South Korea abruptly flew home Wednesday after lodging a complaint about the presence of a Tibetan delegation.”

It is really interesting that monks can be politically correct too.  Is there any difference between Tibetan monks enforcing DS bans and Chinese monks enforcing their Government protest against Tibetan delegation.  What a samsaric drama!!

Dsiluvu June 21, 2012

“His Holiness has spoken about the Karmapa in the past as his possible successor, so why not start promoting him now, like how China promotes their Panchen Lama?”

I am really interested to see how the Chinese would react if Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje become the successor of HHDL.  He is in a very unique position because Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje has been recognized and hailed by China in the past.  Will he open the door for reconciliation between Tibetan in exile and the Chinese government?  I really hope so.

Vajraprotector June 28, 2012

“The Australian parliament sent a strong message of support for Tibet today by turning up to meet Kalon Tripa Dr Lobsang Sangay in large numbers.”

The act of Australian parliament to meet with Kalon Tripa should inspire us, DS practitioners to stand up for what we believe in and step up our effort to remove the ban.

[DharmaDefender]

Friday, June 15 2012 @ 05:47 pm BST
South Korea’s leading Buddhist organisation Thursday criticised China’s boycott of a religious event in protest at a Tibetan presence, and demanded an apology from Beijing.
The 17 Chinese monks and officials invited to this week’s World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) conference in South Korea abruptly flew home Wednesday after lodging a complaint about the presence of a Tibetan delegation.
The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism called their departure “extremely regrettable” and accused them of “lacking the least respect and consideration” for what was supposed to be a purely religious event.
“The Chinese delegates only prioritised their own political agenda by refusing to accept the presence of a Tibetan delegation officially registered as a member of the WFB,” it said in an unusually strongly worded statement.
“The WFB conference should be a purely religious exchange that rules out political interests… we demand that the Chinese delegation offer a sincere apology and promise it will never happen again,” it said.
The Jogye Order also said it actively sympathised with the free religious activities of Tibetan Buddhists and would “seriously reconsider” ties with Chinese Buddhists.
About 400 delegates from some 30 countries are taking part in the two-yearly gathering in the southern city of Yeosu.
The event drew attention after Seoul’s government, in a rare move, approved a visa for Samdhong Rinpoche, an ex-prime minister of Tibet’s government-in-exile.
South Korea has refused in the past to grant a visa for Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, apparently for fear of offending China.
Beijing considers the Dalai Lama a “splittist”, despite his calls for autonomy rather than independence for Tibet, and has stepped up pressure on world leaders not to meet him.
tibet.net

I have to say I agree with the Korean organisation. Everything is so politicised when it doesnt have to be? By boycotting a religious event, the Chinese introduced intolerance and disharmony to the proceedings when the whole point was to foster inter-tradition understanding. Fine if you consider the Dalai Lama a splittist but (a) the Tibetan monks werent there as a political statement (b) all the other monks at the conference werent political. Why does everything have to be so political?

[Vajraprotector]

Guess what? China has something to say again! The Australian Prime Minister may not want to meet the Dalai Lama but the Kalon Tripa Lobsang Sangay has been welcomed by scores of political leaders, the media and packed public audiences during his visit.

Praise for Dalai Lama snub
Daniel Flitton
June 29, 2012

 
CHINESE state-controlled media have heaped praise on Prime Minister Julia Gillard for refusing to meet Tibet's Dalai Lama - singling out her break with the past practice of Australian leaders.
 
But a senior member of the People's Daily - a mouthpiece newspaper for the ruling Communist Party - warned an officially sponsored media workshop that Australia's enhanced military ties to the US sent confusing signals to China.
 
Liu Huaxin, a committee member of international development at the People's Daily, told the meeting Ms Gillard's decision to snub the Dalai Lama has been ''acclaimed'' by China.
 
He also took the rare step of displaying a photograph of the Tibetan religious leader - whose image is almost never seen in China - showing him alongside a separate picture of Ms Gillard with an illustrated speech bubble saying ''No!''
 
China has so far refused requests by Foreign Minister Bob Carr for Australian diplomats to visit Tibet to investigate human rights concerns.
 
Prime minister John Howard met with the exiled Tibetan monk in 1996 and 2007 but successor Kevin Rudd declined meetings in 2008 and 2009.
 
No Labor prime minister had met the Dalai Lama since Paul Keating in 1992.
 
The talks, the Australia China Media Forum, are being held in the southern province of Guangdong and include about 50 representatives of media from both countries.
 
The stated aim is to promote greater links with China's burgeoning media sector which, as in Australia, is undergoing a transformation fuelled by technological change.
 
But China retains heavy censorship.
 
Mr Liu said through a translator there was a view Australia was ''tied up to the chariot of the US and it was easy to get on but more difficult to get off''.
 
He reeled off a litany of complaints about Australia's attitudes to China, including the decision to base 2500 US marines near Darwin. But he later clarified his remarks, saying he was reflecting general public perceptions, not official policy.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/praise-for-dalai-lama-snub-20120628-215fw.html#ixzz1zOzoWJub